Sequential image advancing system (the S.I.A.S.)

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a computerized image-viewing device that allows the user to sequentially advance or reverse stored images by voice recognition and/or other sounds, remote control, navigational buttons or one of the many kinds of adaptable computer switches. There is a LCD or Plasma-related display screen connected to a computer box where images are stored, arranged and edited.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to computerized image-viewing devices and more particularly to a new system that allows the user to sequentially advance or reverse images by voice and/or sound recognition, remote control, navigational buttons or one of the many kinds of adaptable computer switches.

[0003] 2. Prior Art

[0004] The use of portable image-viewers, display-devices, music-readers and electronic books are known in the prior art. The idea of image advancing devices and/or page-turners has been an interest to many inventors.

[0005] The following patents represent related patent-documents that I have found through my patent search.

[0006] For example:

[0007] Rubincam, U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,417 Jun. 26, 1979

[0008] Rubincam's Electronic Book is described as a device using digital memory and display along with a storage container that presents digitally encoded information on a display screen. His invention uses holographic cards to store information.

[0009] Hatakeyama U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,302 Jul. 12, 1988

[0010] Hatakeyama et al, image-displaying apparatus presents a device for displaying a plurality of images. The object of this apparatus was to provide easy and efficient searching of documents contained in microfilm or electronic files.

[0011] Van d.Abbeel U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,510 Oct. 25, 1988 Van den Abbeel describes an electronic apparatus for displaying music. This apparatus although cumbersome proposes a console having a screen for displaying electronically stored music for each musician of an orchestra. Accompanying the viewing screen is a keyboard for use by the user, and a microphone to pick up sounds emitted during the performance of a selection of music. As the performance proceeds, the musical score displayed on the screen is automatically shifted page by page.

[0012] Fernandez, U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,725 Aug. 8, 1989

[0013] Fernandez describes a microprocessor based simulated book based upon using a compact disk (CD-ROM), LCD screen and a connection to a mass storage PC. This device has the size and shape of a book and could possibly be bound in leather. The device is driven by the microprocessor and has a viewable screen. It has switches on a tactile pad similar to a track-ball and is used for scrolling through information on the screen. This Ebook has several pages of walk-away memory (about 20 pages) that can be used for later reading when not connected to the mass storage.

[0014] Tsuchiya U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,665 Aug. 24, 1993

[0015] Tsuchiya describes an Electronic Book that has special keys for changing pages and certain portions of text. This Ebook permits retrieval from laser cards and floppy disks. Here the user can read visual presentations of information at a speed at which the user can read books. Tsuchiya makes special mention of the importance of Ebooks for social reasons of saving space and saving the trees on planet earth.

[0016] Oliva, U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,344 Aug. 1, 1995

[0017] Oliva describes a portable video book for displaying information stored on a CD-ROM disk. The goal here was to provide a simpler way to read a book by using the CD-ROM and video display. Designed to help children perhaps with poor eyesight, the display could change text sizes.

[0018] Van Kruistum, U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,624 Dec. 30, 1997

[0019] Van Kruistum describes a compact-portable image viewer for read-only files. A LCD screen is included along with a standard floppy disk drive to receive non-volatile floppy disks. After an image is displayed on the LCD screen the device allows the user to press a key to pan the image for magnification and for different viewing.

[0020] Reavey U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,698 Dec. 8, 1998

[0021] Reavey's Electronic Book Device combines the look and feel of a convention book along with electronic technology. This has a single flat panel or a dual flat panel display that accesses information on memory cards. The display screens can display text and graphics in black and white or in a color format. This Ebook has three different viewing modes on the viewing panels.

[0022] Gaston, U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,048 Sep. 21, 1999 Gaston describes and electronic book system that is ergonomically shaped with thumb-shaped frontal depressions for comfortable gripping. Control buttons are mounted for thumb manipulation. This apparatus is battery-powered and includes a memory, which receives text downloaded from a computer. This unit is equipped with a stand to help connectivity to the PC. The stand is modular with corresponding male and female data ports. Information can be stored on a ROM chip and plugged into the unit to view information. Gaston suggests that book publishers could offer books or novels with encoded onetime-accessing of the data to prevent unauthorized copying of the information.

[0023] Kuno et al. describes a portable display device capable of presenting a document in an easy to read format. This is accomplished by having at least two display screens and by providing the user with two modes. The first mode allows the screens to be linked together to view information and the second allows the user to view information on the screens independent of each other.

[0024] Froeber U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,594 Nov. 23, 1999

[0025] Froeber describes an electronic book using a LCD screen and PCMCIA cards. The apparatus also includes a pair of speakers, a speech processor/synthesizer and bookmark buttons.

[0026] MacMahon U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,954 Mar. 14, 2000

[0027] McMahon describes a portable hand-held reading device with improved ruggedness and usability features. Comprises a display screen, control panel and a memory device. Includes “bookmarking” and scrolling features forward and backward through a document. Text size can also be controlled. Removable memory is provided with CD-ROM or Micro CD-ROM. Shock-resiliency, easy-grip and impact absorption to protect the device is of keen interest.

[0028] Chombo U.S. Pat. No. 6,313,828 Nov. 6, 2001

[0029] Chombo's electronic book relates two LCD screen panels connected to each other with a hinge. Some of the functions include: PCMCIA slot, power supply, external device inputs, hard-drive, audio processor, video processor, RAM memory and processor along with a CD-ROM drive. Here, Chombo tries to merge peak technology from Personal Computers (PC) with an Ebook.

[0030] Eberhard U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,867 Dec. 18, 2001

[0031] Eberhard describes a user interface and other software features that facilitate viewing and the management of information by using touch-sensitive display screen. This is a hand-held computing device that is adapted to communicate with a PC via a “cradle”.

[0032] Jacklin U.S. Pat. No. 6,396,472 May 28, 2002

[0033] Jacklin describes a device and process for displaying images and sound. Here, this device receives information from memory cards and non-volatile digital recording mediums (in miniature scale). This apparatus also is a display for digital photographs with accompanying stored audio recordings.

[0034] Harada U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,890 Nov. 26, 2002

[0035] Harada, et al., describes a portable image device having an open display function like a book that displays electronic sheet information. The object of this invention was to provide the user with the option of viewing images on two screens or the same image on both screens. Selecting these modes is up to the user.

[0036] Kondo U.S. Pat. No. 6,512,497 Jan. 28, 2003 Kondo et al., describes an image information display device providing a two-screen (liquid crystal) electronic book that reduces energy consumption. Two screens may be used or the user can choose only one of the existing screens to conserve energy.

[0037] The foregoing prior art generally describes the various portable viewing devices and electronic books. There are many similarities with all of them. They all seem to have some kind of memory storage, portals for memory cards, digital cards, CD-ROM or floppy disks. Liquid crystal display (LCD screens) seems to be the choice of most electronic books and image viewers. Navigating through the various programs can be accomplished by pressing buttons, scrolling devices or touch-screen technology. However, it is the view of this inventor that there are individuals who find it difficult, inconvenient or impossible to reach an arm or hand to access the controls on any of these devices. There are those who are physically handicapped or challenged who would find little or no help from any of the devices or electronic books available. For individuals unable to move a hand, finger or foot, the inventions based upon the prior art would not allow those individuals to function in an independent manner.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0038] In view of the above it is an object of the present invention to provide a (new and portable) computerized image-display-device and method to help individuals who find it difficult, inconvenient or impossible to turn a page or to push a button. Another object of the present invention is to include the appropriate buttons, switches and controls that will allow individuals who are able to manually navigate this present invention.

[0039] This invention differs and improves upon known prior art in several ways:

[0040] 1. This invention is equipped for voice and/or sound recognition allowing the user to advance or reverse images by using the human voice and/or other sounds.

[0041] 2. This invention also receives signals from a remote control (similar to those used with modern televisions).

[0042] 3. This invention is equipped with bright-colored navigational buttons based upon the primary and secondary colors that can light up when activated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The unique features of the present invention should be better understood by viewing the following detailed-drawings set forth as a preferred embodiment of the invention for the purpose of illustration but not limiting the invention.

[0044]FIG. 1 illustrates the front perspective view of the single display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045]FIG. 2 illustrates the back perspective view of the single display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0046]FIG. 3 illustrates the top view with carrying handle.

[0047]FIG. 4 illustrates the bottom view of the present invention.

[0048]FIG. 5 illustrates the left-side view with on and off switch.

[0049]FIG. 6 illustrates the right-side view with the input for the electric supply cord.

[0050]FIG. 7 Illustrates the power cord that carries power and electronic signals to and from the display screen from the computer box.

[0051]FIG. 8 illustrates a rechargeable battery pack equipped to interface with the display unit.

[0052]FIG. 9 illustrates a slide-on protective covering for the single display screen

[0053]FIG. 10 illustrates the top view of the slide-on protective covering.

[0054]FIG. 11 illustrates the front perspective view of the computer box.

[0055]FIG. 12 illustrates the left-end view of the computer box.

[0056]FIG. 13 illustrates the back perspective view of the computer box.

[0057]FIG. 14 illustrates the right-end view of the computer box.

[0058]FIG. 15 illustrates the top perspective view of the computer box.

[0059]FIG. 16 illustrates the bottom perspective view of the computer box.

[0060]FIG. 17 illustrates the electric power wire connecting household current to the computer box.

[0061]FIG. 18 illustrates a double display screen with hinge.

[0062]FIG. 19 illustrates the back view of the double display screen.

[0063]FIG. 20 illustrates the top view of the double display screen.

[0064]FIG. 21 illustrates the bottom view of the double display screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0065] Now referring to FIG. 1-FIG. 21, the embodiment of a new computerized image-viewing device and method according to the present invention will be described in detail. In FIG. 1 there is a viewing display unit adapted-to-be-used as a portable image-viewing device. A LCD (or Plasma-related) viewing screen 4, is surrounded by a durable (light-weight-poly-plastic) housing 2 that protects the display screen and houses a electronic wiring system (not shown) and a credit card “size”—computer on a chip (not shown). In this front view of the apparatus can be seen several unique details regarding this new image-display device. An infrared sensor 6 at the top of the display screen allows a user to navigate through the programs of the display unit by a remote control. A voice recognition sensor 18 (located at the bottom of the display unit where the sensor will be closer to the user's voice) allows the user to navigate through the device's many functions by use of the human voice and/or other sounds. Different colored navigational buttons 8 a-8 f descends on the right-hand side of the housing along with a number 10 a-10 f for each of the different colored navigational buttons. The numbers will help the user navigate through the different programs to be displayed on the device. Another role of the numbers next to the colored-buttons is to help those who have a difficulty distinguishing colors. An auto-run button 12 will also be used for engaging the computer for specific tasks. By using the auto-run function, the user can program the computer to present images on the display screen in a sequential order by using the programs timer function. In FIG. 2 can be seen the back view of the display housing 2. There is a door 14 and two fasteners 16 for entrance into the interior of the housing. This is where the wiring and computer-on-a-chip is located. In FIG. 3 the top view of the housing 2 is illustrated. There is a carrying handle 20 that can be used to carry the display unit 2. This handle 20 collapses into the housing 2 to create an even finish. References 24 can be seen from the top view and refer to a guide-track that will allow the user to slide a cover 5 (FIG. 9) over the display screen 4. FIG. 4 illustrates the bottom view of the display housing 2 along with the guide-tracks 24 for the display cover 5. The left-side view of the display 2 is presented in FIG. 5. Again, the guide-tracks are illustrated in 24 for the front cover 5 and 26 illustrates an on/off switch. An input 30 is provided for a rechargeable battery source (see FIG. 8) and household electrical current. In FIG. 6, there is an input 28 for an electric wire that allows electric signals to be brought to and from the display unit and another input 32 for the rechargeable battery source to provide electricity (see FIG. 8). In FIG. 7, are two ends to the electric wire 38 where a male plug 34 attaches to reference 28 and the other end 36 attaches to the computer-box FIG. 12, reference 56. FIG. 8 illustrates the rechargeable battery pack 39, electrical wire 40 and a male plug 33 which interfaces with the left side of the display 2 at 30 or the right side of display 2 at 32. FIG. 9 illustrates the slide-on cover 5 for the LCD or plasma-related display screen reference 2 and 4. As can be seen by the arrows below the cover 5, the cover slides down into the guide-tracks 24 to cover the entire front of the display screen 4. The guide-tracks 24 stop at the bottom of the display housing 2 to prevent the cover from sliding out of the bottom of the unit 2. FIG. 10 illustrates a top view revealing the clips 9 that keep the cover 5 in place along the guide-tracks 24. FIG. 11 through FIG. 16 illustrates the computer box 42. In FIG. 11, a front-view of the computer box 42 presents the various hardware that help make this box a computer. This illustration makes room for both the CD-ROM drive 44 and the new and improved DVDR drive 46 which eventually could replace the CD-ROM drive 44 in computer use. A standard floppy drive 48 is included since the floppy drives are still being used. Through these drives (44,46 and 48) information and images can be sent to the storage drive (not shown) in the computer box 42, stored in the computer-on-a-chip housed in FIG. 2 reference 14 and/or displayed on the display screen 4. Information can also be “written to” and stored on the CD-ROM, DVDR, and the floppy disks. It is considered in this present invention that there will be new hardware developed that are smaller in size and faster in production speed. This invention does not limit hardware to the present but allows for faster and smaller units of the future as well as current technology. The glow light is referenced at 52 alerting when the unit is turned on or off. The manual on-off switch is referenced at 54. FIG. 12 illustrates the left-end view of the computer box. The electric wire 38 mentioned in FIG. 7 connects reference 36 to the computer box at 56. Reference 34 mentioned in FIG. 7 connects to the display housing at 28 in FIG. 6. It is through this wire that the computerized information and images are sent to and from the display screen and the computer box. In FIG. 13, the U.S.B. ports and other ports are illustrated on the back view of the computer box where 60 a-60 f represents the U.S.B. ports. Peripheral devices such as media readers, scanners, links to other computer boxes, flash drives or thumb-drives and digital cameras can be plugged into these U.S.B. ports. Ports 62 and 63 represent Ethernet ports. A computer mouse connects at 64 and a computer keyboard can be connected at reference 66. Having some musical functions, port 68 allows a midi-musical instrument or device to be interfaced. Audio-in jacks are illustrated in FIG. 13 at reference number 70. Audio-out jacks are illustrated at 71. FIG. 14 details the right-side view illustrating the input 72 for a common household electricity wire or the rechargeable battery in FIG. 8, reference 39. The common electric plug is illustrated in FIG. 17 where 73 interfaces with 72 (30 and 32) and 75 plugs into common household current. The top of the computer box 42 is represented in FIG. 15 showing a retractable carrying handle 74 for the unit. FIG. 16 represents the bottom of the computer box 42, illustrating the four rubber feet 50, and a vent 76 for the cooling fan (not shown). In FIG. 18 is an illustration of a twin screen or dual screen representation of this invention. FIG. 18 represents a front view. The display screen 4 a is identical to reference 4 in FIG. 1 above. On the left-hand side of FIG. 18 is display screen 4 b being the same kind of display screen as 4 a with the colored buttons (8 a though 8 f) on the left-hand side instead of the right-hand side of the housing. References 10 a-10 f are identical on the left side. The housing 2 a is the same as reference 2 in FIG. 1. Exception is made here on the left side-view (see FIG. 5) where there is a connecting piano hinge 78 that connects the twin screens together FIG. 18. Reference 2 b, is the same kind of housing as 2 a. The left side-view of 2 b is identical to FIG. 5, which is moved to the left side of 2 b in order to accommodate the center piano hinge 78 in FIG. 18. At the top of FIG. 18 are two infrared sensors 6 for remote image advancing and reversing. At the bottom of FIG. 18 are voice recognition sensors to allow the user to navigate by voice and/or sound commands. The auto-run button stated above (see FIG. 1) is located on the front housing 2 a at reference 12. FIG. 19 represents the back view of the dual screen having identical doors 14 for access into the on-board computer and wiring. Fasteners 16 attach the doors. FIG. 20 illustrates the simple top view of the dual screen display with piano hinge 78 and FIG. 21 illustrates the bottom view of the dual screen display with piano hinge 78.

[0066] Operation of Invention

[0067] There are several ways to use the sequential image advancing system (the present invention). Once the computer box is connected to the display screen (FIG. 7), the user can access information and images from the CD-ROM drive, the DVDR drive, the floppy-drive and the internal memory of the computer box. “Images” refer to pictures, art, the printed page, signs, shapes, symbols, written and/or printed languages, drawings, and schematics, graphs, music symbols and digital images (both color and black and white). Today, it is common knowledge that individuals can find and purchase information stored on storage devices like memory cards and CD-ROM. The user can simply insert a CD-ROM or other storage device into the computer box (FIG. 11) and access the information on the display screen (FIG. 1). To navigate through the information or software presentations on the display screen 4, the user can advance images by use of a remote control, by voice recognition (which will assist those who find it difficult, inconvenient or impossible to lift an arm or push a button). Other ways to navigate on the present invention is to use the colored buttons on the housing of the display unit (8 a-8 f). These bright different-colored-buttons allow the user to navigate through the programs of editing/selecting and the image advancing and reversing process. The different colored buttons are not to be underestimated. These buttons are significant and there is an important order to them. The buttons can be polished plastic buttons, soft rubber buttons or buttons with internal lights that temporarily light-up when activated. The user can activate these buttons by voice command, sounds, touch or switch. The computer can also activate and light the buttons through it's own programs. The top button is bright Red 8 a. Below the Red button is a bright Yellow button 8 b. Next and below the Yellow button is a bright Blue button 8 c. These three buttons represent the primary colors in art. Next, and below the Blue button are the three secondary colors: Orange 8 d, Purple 8 e and Green 8 f. Mixing the primary colors (the top three) creates the secondary colors. For individuals who can physically reach their hand, the buttons will prove to be very useful for navigating through the present invention capabilities. The different colored buttons are very significant regarding navigating and educational selections. Other added features are the numbers printed next to each of the colored-buttons. Next to the Red button will be the number “1” reference 10 a. Next to the Yellow button will be the number “2” reference 10 b. Next to the Blue button will be the number “3” reference 10 c. Next to the Orange button will be the number “4” reference 10 d. Next to the Purple button will be the number “5” reference 10 e. Next to the Green button will be the number “6” reference 10 f. Along with other functions that will help the user, the numbers will also help those individuals who have difficulty recognizing colors. For those who find it difficult, inconvenient or impossible to physically reach and touch the navigational buttons, they can simply “speak” the colors to navigate. In certain situations the user can “speak” the numbers next to the colors to navigate. An example of using the colored buttons would be to press the bright Red button 8 a (or say “Red”), to “Stop” a process. If the user wants to start a process, the user will press or say “Green” 8 f. To slow a process, the user might press the “Yellow” button 8 b or say yellow. These three colors (Red, Yellow and Green) are well known traffic signals here in the United States and will be used often by the user of the SIAS.

[0068] Along with the above, this invention also has the technology for a user to simply touch the display screen in order to navigate through programs. This is known by many as “touch-screen capabilities”.

[0069] The present invention is also equipped to receive the different switches available for single or double-click input through the mouse port FIG. 13, reference 64. These switches are similar to a common computer mouse where a user can select a function by “clicking” the index finger mouse button and select again by “clicking” the right mouse button. These important switches would include any of the “puff and sip” devices that can be used by people who may not have the use of their arms or feet. Musicians might prefer a foot switch if they are performing alone. Other musicians who require an assistant to help advance or turn-pages might prefer an assistant to use a hand-held switch or a remote switch to advance each image of sheet music on the present invention's display screen.

[0070] One of the major differences between the present invention and the prior art is that the present invention allows individuals to create and view images for themselves. By using a scanner or a digital camera (with or without a media-reader) the user can scan or download images into the computer box. By using a scanner and/or a media reader (that works along with a digital camera), the user can scan images directly into the computer box. The user will be able to arrange, order and edit the images that are scanned into the memory. Digital memory and cameras provide an excellent source to store images. The user can take digital pictures and arrange them in a specific order. This would include taking digital images of printed material, musical scores or anything else the user would like. If the user would prefer, the user may choose to use a personal computer to perform scanning or digital reading from a media reader and then store that information on a floppy, CD-ROM or DVDR. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A computerized image-advancing-display apparatus comprising: a flat-panel LCD or Plasma-related display screen having a thin and durable housing with interior space for wiring and components surrounding top-edge, bottom-edge, left-edge, right-edge and the back-side of said screen; navigational-input buttons (each button being a different color and number) on the front of said housing capable of lighting-up and having a specific and numerical order on said housing based upon the primary colors red (1), yellow (2), blue (3) and secondly orange (4), purple (5) and green (6); a voice and/or sound recognition sensor on the front of said housing for navigational input along with an infrared sensor built into said housing for remote navigational input; an auto-run button on the front of said housing for adjustable-timing and automatic-image presentation; a computer-on-a-chip or (credit-card-size-computer) is located in the interior space between said housing and said display screen having a service entrance door on the back-side of said housing; a carrying handle is located on said housing along with identical guide-tracks that run from top to bottom on the left-side and the right-side of said housing where a durable-protective cover slides down the entire surface to cover the front said display screen, said sensors and said navigational buttons; ports for common household electrical current and rechargeable battery-packs are on said housing along with a port that receives an electrical wire equipped to send information and images to and from an external computer box.
 2. A hand-portable computer box having internal memory storage; a CD-ROM drive, DVDR drive, a standard floppy-drive; ports for memory cards; a port for a digital media-reader and digital camera interface; ports for U.S.B. peripherals and jump memory devices; ethernet ports; a port for a computer-mouse and/or switch; a computer-keyboard port; a midi-instrument port that recognizes musical instruments and other midi-devices; audio-in and audio-out speaker ports; a port to connect said electrical wire to said display screen in accordance with claim 1; an input for household current and/or rechargeable battery; a port to interface with other said computer boxes and/or other and future computer boxes adapted to be interfaced with said computer box or a desktop personal computer; having a glow-light that lights when said computer box is connected to electricity; having four rubber feet on the bottom of said computer box (one on each corner) for support, cushion, and grip; with a cooling fan located on the inside and bottom of said computer box to keep said internal components operating at an acceptable operating temperature; a vent on the bottom of said computer box to assure proper air circulation and exhaust from said cooling fan; easily transported by the carrying handle on top of said computer box; can be placed on a floor, table-top and/or other surfaces; equipped with easy conversion for European electric current.
 3. An LCD or plasma-related display screen in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first display screen and housing is adjacent to and connected to a second display screen of exact proportions and joined to the first display screen and housing with a piano hinge allowing the two screens to be folded together; wherein the navigational buttons of said second display screen are now on the left-side of the housing instead of the right-side of the display screen presented in claim 1; wherein the inputs of the left-side of claim 1 are now on the left side of said second display screen now connected to the first display screen of claim 1 by said piano hinge; wherein the left-side housing of said first display screen of claim 1 and the right-side housing of said second display screen is without ports or input slots allowing the two screens to be fitted together with said piano hinge. 